Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Friday that any agreement reached with the Taliban must be written, insisting that verbal understandings are unacceptable to Islamabad.
Speaking to reporters in the capital, he said Pakistan wants the ongoing talks in Istanbul to produce a formal, documented accord.
He added that, under such an agreement, Qatar and Türkiye would serve as guarantor states in the event of any violations.
Asif’s comments came as the third round of Taliban–Pakistan negotiations continued behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Conrad Hotel. The talks, mediated by Türkiye and Qatar, are being held under tight restrictions, with media barred from the venue.
The minister said continued dialogue between Pakistan and the Taliban was essential because “peace is a basic regional necessity.”
He said that peace and trade are vital for the region, and we they are working toward that.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said it has shared documents and evidence with mediators regarding the alleged use of Afghan territory by armed groups. Meanwhile, sources within the Taliban Foreign Ministry told Afghanistan International that the Taliban delegation has also submitted its list of demands to the mediators.
The first round of talks, led by the defence ministers of both sides in Doha, resulted in an immediate ceasefire agreement. The second round, held at a mid-level format in Istanbul, ended without progress. Senior delegations led by both countries’ intelligence chiefs are now taking part in the third round.
